Abu Ali Express reports that Ceuta, the Spanish enclave on Morocco's coast, saw its population grow by more than 60% in 24 hours, with about 80,000 Spaniards normally residing there. The figure aligns with earlier estimates of 49,000–50,000 migrants entering the city in the same period.
The Spanish enclave of Ceuta saw its population surge by over 60% in 24 hours, according to Abu Ali Express, with the city's baseline of roughly 80,000 residents swelling as migrants poured in. The new percentage figure is consistent with earlier estimates of 49,000–50,000 migrants entering the enclave during the same period.
Late Thursday, the first reports emerged: the Guardia Civil estimated up to 40,000 migrants had crossed the border fence (v2), followed by a Spanish official who said tens of thousands had entered but cautioned that the figure remained unverified (v3). A single source then alleged that 40,000 'invaders' would be naturalized by the Spanish government (v4), a claim that contradicted the earlier agreement between Spain and Morocco to repatriate irregular migrants (v1). By 23:46 Jerusalem, Spain's Interior Ministry released an official estimate of 49,000 migrants in 24 hours (v5), and a subsequent update from Amichai Stein (i24NEWS) put the number at 50,000, as The Zioneer reported Friday morning.
The new population-growth figure, reported by Abu Ali Express, aligns with these numbers: given Ceuta's baseline population of about 80,000, an influx of 49,000–50,000 would represent a 60% increase. The surge has overwhelmed the enclave's reception centers, which have been operating under severe strain throughout July, as The Zioneer reported earlier this week.
The exact number of migrants remains unverified, and the claim of mass naturalization has not been confirmed by any official source.
8 developments
- StrongNew court ruling blocks immediate return of migrants to Spain; local governor warns of 'chaos' as influx continues
- DevelopingUN report: Nearly 100,000 illegal migrants arrived in Yemen in six months
- DevelopingCeuta migrants seek places to sleep without property owners' consent, reports say
- StrongMoroccans reportedly celebrate in Melilla
Source and signal
- Open-source intake